GMU 87 GMU 87 — Larimer/Weld Co.
Record-book pronghorn on the northern Front Range prairie
Northeast Colorado plains — Pawnee shortgrass prairie · Last reviewed 2026-07-12
Area
1,118
sq mi
Public land
15%
approx.
Elevation
4,700–5,600
feet
Motorized
moderate
access
Overview
GMU 87 spreads across northern Weld and eastern Larimer counties, from the I-25/US-85 farm corridor east into the shortgrass prairie and the western reaches of the Pawnee National Grassland. This is antelope country first and foremost — open rolling grassland, dryland wheat, and irrigated bottoms that hold strong pronghorn numbers and produce genuine record-book bucks. Mule deer are a limited-draw secondary target along creek breaks and shelterbelts, while elk are only occasional visitors drifting off the foothills.
Terrain
Gently rolling high plains that tilt down eastward from the Front Range foothills. Broad open swells, shallow draws, and a few low mesas and bluffs break an otherwise wide-open horizon.
Cover: Shortgrass prairie (blue grama, buffalograss) with sagebrush on mesa tops, dryland and irrigated ag, and willow/cottonwood strings along creek and canal bottoms.
Landmarks: Pawnee National Grassland (western tracts) · Crow Creek drainage · Nunn and Ault farm country · Cache la Poudre / South Platte lowlands
Access
The western Pawnee National Grassland tracts are the reliable public option but are checkerboarded with private and leased state sections — a good grassland map and GPS boundary layer are essential. Most of the unit is private irrigated and dryland ag; knocking on doors and lining up ranch permission well before the season is the difference-maker. Note: Colorado State Trust Lands here are generally leased and NOT open to public hunting unless enrolled in CPW's Public Access Program.
Managers: USFS Pawnee National Grassland, private ranch and farm, Colorado State Trust Land (mostly leased, closed)
Access points: Crow Valley Recreation Area / Briggsdale (grassland gateway) · County roads off CO-14 and US-85 · Grassland two-tracks (designated roads only)
Species notes
Pronghorn
abundant trophyThe marquee animal and a strong draw unit — high success and a reputation for heavy, record-class bucks on the open prairie.
- →Glass long from high swells and mesa edges at first and last light
- →Spot-and-stalk using terrain folds; use decoys during the rut
- →Watch water tanks, windmills, and green irrigated fields as afternoon magnets
- →Cover ground by vehicle on grassland roads, then still-hunt on foot
Mule Deer
common qualityA fully limited-draw plains mule deer resource — lower tag numbers but mature bucks tucked in draws, shelterbelts, and creek breaks.
- →Work creek bottoms and cottonwood strings at dawn and dusk
- →Glass sage mesas and CRP edges
- →Focus effort near ag/cover transitions
Rocky Mountain Elk
transient opportunityElk are incidental on these plains — occasional animals wandering off the foothills, not a reliable target.
- →Check remote grassland pockets and river bottoms
- →Treat any elk as a bonus while pronghorn hunting
Pro tips
- →Line up private-land permission months ahead — the best pronghorn ground is often deeded ag
- →Load an accurate public/private boundary layer; the Pawnee checkerboard is easy to trespass on by accident
- →Bring a good spotting scope and be ready for long shots across open country
- →Hunt water and green fields in the heat of the afternoon
- →Verify every state-trust section — most are leased and closed to hunting here
Watch out for
- !Heavy private ownership and locked-up ranches
- !Colorado State Trust Land is generally closed to public hunting unless in the Public Access Program
- !Checkerboard boundaries with leased inholdings
- !Wind, heat, and no shade on the open prairie; wildfire risk in dry years
- !Designated-roads-only travel on the grassland
Logistics
Greeley and Fort Collins offer full services, lodging, and gear within a short drive; Ault, Nunn, and Briggsdale provide fuel and basics closer to the ground. Crow Valley Recreation Area near Briggsdale has camping. Cell coverage is decent near the corridors and spotty deep in the grassland.
Nearest towns: Ault, Nunn, Briggsdale, Greeley, Fort Collins
Seasons & regulations
This page carries no season dates or regulations. Get current rules from the official Colorado sources:
Research sources: CPW Big Game Hunting Statistics · USFS Pawnee National Grassland · GOHUNT Colorado Unit 87 Profile
FAQ
- How big is GMU 87 in Colorado?
- GMU 87 (GMU 87 — Larimer/Weld Co.) covers about 1,118 square miles, ranging from roughly 4,700 to 5,600 feet in elevation. Area is computed from the unit boundary polygon.
- How much public land is in GMU 87?
- Approximately 15% of the unit is public land. Primary managers: USFS Pawnee National Grassland, private ranch and farm, Colorado State Trust Land (mostly leased, closed). Always verify ownership boundaries on the ground.
- What species does the catalog list for GMU 87?
- Pronghorn, Mule Deer, Rocky Mountain Elk. For seasons, tags, and regulations, use the official Colorado agency resources linked on this page — this page carries no regulatory information.
Put GMU 87 on your map.
Boundary lines, public/private ownership, topo, and offline maps for this unit — in Baseline Maps, free for 14 days.